Page 13 of Brett and Rowdy
Crystal snorted. “Why do you think we’re here? I’m sure the kids worked super hard on that food, and a lot of folks will love it, but I was thinking we’d get kitschy Southern food.”
“Ditto,” Ashley said, nodding. “And I promised Rowdy something with protein, which was in short supply.”
Rowdy chuckled. “I gotta admit, it’s tough for me to stand and hold a plate and eat canapes all at the same time. No matter how well-behaved Barney is, it’s easier to eat sitting down.”
“I reckon so.” God, this was weird. He studied Rowdy, noting the new lines on his face, the little dark glasses he wore. He looked amazing.
Brett wondered what Rowdy would think of him now. He was bigger. Metalwork put on a bunch of muscle. But he was in good shape and he knew it. So he had nothing to be ashamed of.
“So, did you guys order?”
“Yeah. I got?—”
“A Western omelet,” Rowdy finished for him.
“I… Yeah. And a waffle chaser.”
“Yum.” Rowdy ran his fingers around the menu. “They still got a smokehouse platter?”
“Yep.” He chuckled. “With grits and a waffle?”
“Yessir.” Rowdy set the menu aside, and Ashley stacked it under hers. They both ordered, and then settled in, which was when it got quiet for a minute.
Finally, he cleared his throat. “So did your girl get all graduated?”
“She did.” Rowdy’s little smile said a whole book’s worth of proud and happy. “With honors. She’s spending her last free weekend packing up and hanging with her friends, and then we’re leaving for the ranch.”
“Wow.” Brett felt that same twist of nausea in his gut that he had the first time he’d heard Rowdy say something like that.
“No wasting time for my girl,” Ashley murmured. “She did ag so she could go make that ranch stand up and sing.”
“Does it not sing now?” he popped out.
“Maybe yodel,” Rowdy said, grinning his way.
“Huh.” He needed to keep his mouth shut, damn it. Which worked, because their Huddle-Up sampler thing arrived, and there was fried stuff to munch on.
“Y’all feel free to share,” Crystal said.
“Cool.” Ashley glanced at Rowdy. “There’s fried pickles, cheese, poppers, and fries. The marinara and ranch are at three and six respectively.”
“Cool. Does anyone mind if I have Ashley just put a few things on a plate for me?”
“Go for it.” He wasn’t gonna tell the blind ex he couldn’t eat however it was easiest.
“Thanks.”
“What do you want, hon?”
“One of everything but a popper.”
“You come from the land of spice. No poppers?” Did he have an ulcer?
“Well, I find they’re just not the same. Kinda bland.”
He watched Rowdy’s mouth twitch as if he was waiting for an argument, so he just hooted. “More for me then.”
“You always say that.”
